Te Puke News - 31 October 2025 by Sun Media

31 October, 2025

Calf Club season wrapped up in style last week at Te Puke’s rural schools, culminating in the Te Puke Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club group day at the A&P Showgrounds.

Show time

The event brought together the top competitors from each school, showcasing their hard work and dedication with calves, lambs, and goats It was a celebration of rural tradition,

community spirit, and young talent, with proud parents and supporters cheering from the sidelines.

Te Puke News’ Stuart Whitaker was on hand to capture the action, from the

ring to the ribbons

Pictured is Oscar Symes, 6, from Pongakawa School leading his calf Crystal. Read more on page 3.

Photo / Stuart Whitaker

A rare encounter at Maketū Wetlands

Bird lovers and conservation enthusiasts are invited to a unique opportunity to get up close with the world’s most endangered gull – the tarāpuka (black-billed gull) – at the upcoming Breakfast with the Gulls event hosted by Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society (MOWS).

Held on November 9, from 8am to 10.30am, this free, family-friendly event offers a rare chance to glide across the estuary entrance to Maketū Spit and visit one of Aotearoa’s most spectacular nesting sites for tarāpunga (red-billed gulls).

“This is a special time of year when thousands of birds are nesting at Maketū

Spit,” said MOWS chairwoman and education officer Janie Stevenson.

“We’re seeing over 3000 red-billed gull nests and around 20 black-billed gull nests –a hopeful sign for species that are under serious threat.”

The sandy peninsula is a vital breeding ground for several native species, including tuturiwhatu (NZ dotterels), tōrea (variable oystercatchers), and tara (white-front terns), and hosts native shore skinks and a rich array of invertebrates.

Past events have also welcomed flocks of kuaka (godwits), huahou (red knot) and ngutu pare (wrybills).

Since 2008, MOWS has been actively trapping predators, removing invasive weeds, and monitoring native species to restore the fragile dune ecosystem.

“Our work is paying off,” said Stevenson “We’re seeing a steady increase in breeding bird numbers, and this event is a celebration of that progress ” Participants will be escorted by boat to the Spit, where MOWS guides will lead a short walk to view nesting birds and share insights into the area ’ s ecology A barbecue breakfast will be available throughout the morning. This event is supported by Maketu Surf Lifesaving Club Boat rides run until 10am, and registration is on arrival. In case of poor weather, the event will be postponed to November 23.

A koha towards MOWS is appreciated to support ongoing conservation efforts. For more information, email: janie@maketūwetlands.org.nz

Thousands of birds nest at Maketū Spit at this time of the year. Photo / NZME, Jason Oxenham

Rural pride on show at Te Puke’s Calf Club finale

Calf club season at Te Puke’s rural schools culminated in the Te Puke Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club group day held at the A&P Showgrounds last week where the best from each school competed for top honours Te Puke News’ Stuart Whitaker went along and snapped the action.

Labour Weekend marked the unofficial start of summer in the Western Bay of Plenty, bringing an flux of visitors – including the first wave of freedom campers.

s holidaymakers hit the road for well-earned break, Western Bay of nty District Council reminded mpers to follow the rules, respect local mmunities, and help keep popular ots clean and safe

The long weekend is a popular me for people to get out and enjoy r beautiful district,” said council mpliance and monitoring manager

Dougal Elvin

“We want everyone to have a fun, safe experience – that means camping in designated areas, disposing of waste properly, and being mindful of others ”

There are 46 designated freedom camping sites across the district, from Waihī Beach to Ōtamarākau While most are open year-round, Labour Weekend was the last chance to camp at three popular summer hotspots until after Easter 2026: Pohutukawa Park (Waihī Beach), Maketu Surf Lifesaving Club and Car Park Reserve, and Park Road Reserve in Maketū Brighton Reserve at Waihī Beach also has seasonal restrictions, closing to campers

from December 20 to February 10

Campers can stay up to three nights in any four-week period, starting from the first overnight stay Vehicles must be certified self-contained, with a fixed toilet required from June 2026.

“Limiting stays means more people can enjoy these scenic spots without putting extra pressure on the environment,” said Elvin.

Campers face $400 fines for breaching rules, including camping outside designated areas or leaving rubbish behind For more information and to view the interactive freedom camping map, visit: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/ recreation/camping-and-freedom-camping

Judging one of the cattle sections

Emma, 11, and Andrew, 9, Eichler from Te Ranga School with calves Moomoo and Chip.

Students and lambs from Rangiuru School.

Stuart MacDonald, 7, with his calf Biscuit.

Brother and sister Millie, 10, and Lucca Miller with their goats Luna and Sparkle.

Ryan Parton, 11, and Frankie, from Paengaroa School.

Rueben Fraser, 10, and his goat Bill.

are reminded to know the rules when travelling. Photo

Wild h

’ f d

Wilderness challenge builds students’ confidence ll b ild d

A group of 12 Te Puke High School students has just returned from a 19-day wilderness challenge –the first part of their Project K experience

Project K is a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme for year 10 students. It lasts 14 months.

The 12 students were selected in September

The programme aimed to help young people realise their potential and that what they have inside is greater than any obstacle

Its three components were a wilderness challenge, a community challenge and a mentor journey

The wilderness challenge was

based at the Hillary Outdoors Centre and included canoeing, hiking, camping and kayaking

One of the students, Jodi Deacon, 14, said the five-day canoe trip on the Whanganui River was the highlight.

Each evening the students set up camp and cooked

So, what was the high point of the wilderness challenge?

“Probably all hanging out after being in the canoes, we made dinner together and hung out and slept in tents, ” Jodi said She hadn’t known many of the students on the programme before the challenge but said getting to know them was all part of her learning experience.

“I think I learned to be more patient with people I don’t

really know”

Deacon had similar thoughts about the team-building challenges and said she also learned a bit more about looking after herself in the wilderness

“I’m probably mentally a bit tougher now ”

With phones not allowed, one of the first things Jodi did on her return was to catch up with friends and then she spent the weekend with her family

She said the experience meant she would now like to take her family on a canoe trip on the Whanganui River

The other two parts of Project K were the three-day community challenge involving working in the community and

Freshlocalartworks and crafts on show atTe Puke Art Society exhibition

Te Puke Art Society is holding its annual exhibition next week – and it could present an opportunity for a bit of early Christmas shopping

The exhibition is held in the society’s Constables Gallery – Te Puke’s former police station and jail –on Commerce Lane

The exhibition has been organised by group members Annette Webber and Elizabeth McLeod.

“It’s really to raise awareness of the fact that the gallery’s here – it’s surprising how many people don’t know,” Webber said.

“It’s also an opportunity for us to present our work to the pubic – often

you don’t get a lot of opportunity to show your work to the public,” McLeod said.

Members have created work specifically for the exhibition during the preceding 12 months, which means every piece is fresh and only one piece can be submitted, ensuring variety in terms of styles, subjects and media.

“We have several new members exhibiting for the first time Some are experienced artists, and some are beginners ”

As well as wall-hung pieces, there are also painted rocks and cards

With one or two exceptions, the work will be for sale.

Members of the Quilting Group at Te Puke Art Society will also be putting their amazing quilts, sewing, knitting

the mentor journey where each student is paired with a mentor until the end of the programme

Jodi said now she knows the other students better, she’s looking forward to the community challenge and thinks it will be fun

The students will soon meet their mentors

Mentoring helps develop the skills and strengths that the students learn on the two challenges

Project co-ordinator Ange Davies said students arrived back from the wilderness to a huge crowd of excited and teary parents and school staff, and “ a loud applause as they were acknowledged and congratulated for their achievement, probably

one of the hardest things they’ll ever do in their lives”.

There was then a graduation ceremony where students spoke about their journey

“[That was] telling of the confidence they had already developed, as many students would not have been able to do a public speech before Project K ”

Jodi was also part of Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade’s cadet programme

Davies said mentoring was a great way for people to give back to the community and she can be contacted at: angelena davies@dinglefoundation.org.nz by anyone who might want to find out more.

and crafts into the exhibition.

McLeod said membership of the society is growing and, as well as its Thursday morning sessions, there is also a Thursday evening get-together between 5 30pm and 8pm for those

who are unable to make it during the day

The exhibition will be open to the public between 9am and 4pm on November 6, 7, 8 and 9

Stuart Whitaker

Te Puke Art Society members, Colleen Christensen, left, Elizabeth McLeod, Annette Webber, Monica Taingahue and Francie Marshall, are among those with work in the society’s annual exhibition that starts next week. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

Hiking – in all weather – was part of the Project K Wilderness Challenge.

The wilderness challenge included a five-day canoe trip along the Whanganui River

Jodi Deacon says she feels mentally stronger since completing the wilderness challenge.

Photos / Supplied

Gardens on Wheels returns for creative day out

Gardens on Wheels is an event anyone can be part of and everyone can enjoy

It’s a showcase of landscape design and artistic fair all in one place, with the only criteria for an entry being that it has wheels, and it’s a garden

The first Garden on Wheels took place in Te Puke last year as part of the Bay of Plenty Garden and Art festival

This year ’ s event is on November 16 and coincides with the Te Puke Garden Ramble, so anyone wanting to be part of the display still has time to get creative.

Event director Karen Summerhays said last year ’ s event was successful enough to run it again, although this year ’ s Garden on Wheels has been simplified

“[Last year] was the first time we ’ ve done it and ideally we’d love to build it to be a national event, but we are very much at the beginning phase – we ’ re just testing and working out how it works better”

Sponsorship had been tricky to find and “ we ’ re running on a shoestring really”

However, Summerhays had no doubt that the inaugural event was a success with anyone from children to professional landscapers able and welcome to take part

“People’s reactions when they came, especially from the people who entered, we got lots of really good stories around how it was a whānau-friendly activity to do, kids could get on board, and it was

free to enter ” She said it was also noticeable that caregivers also found the garden creation a “really neat activity” and the event itself was a good outing.

“On the other side of things, the creative gardener found an outlet that was manageable in scale While it is a one-day event, the results can last all year

“My little gardens I entered last time have been in the garden for the year, and I’ve loved them, I’ve moved them around when they’ve flowered and put them away when they’re not flowering It’s been really great having some gardens on wheels ”

Entries

Summerhays thought others who took part last year would also be able to resurrect their past entries

A new addition this year is a category for floral arrangements

“Some people came [last year] with cream cans with a whole load of things in them and put it on a skateboard or something which was absolutely fine, but there’s a bit of a difference between it being a garden with plants and soil that is ever lasting versus a floral arrangement ”

The preference was for people to pre-register

“But that doesn’t mean if you decide to enter on the Friday before that you can ’ t put something g toggether on the Saturday and rock up on the Sunday of the event

“You just have to make sure you get there early enough to register before opening at 10.”

e Puke locals rally to spruce up railway corridor

Keeping track of Te Puke’s rubbish hot spots has highlighted one area in desperate need of some TLC.

e town ’ s railway corridor is the target of Keep Te Puke Beautiful’s latest clean-up that will take place on Sunday

Spruce Up Sunday is the latest in a series of community clean-ups, and a chance for locals to roll up their sleeves

“Spruce Up Sunday is a great opportunity for locals to come together and make a visible di erence, ” said Keep Te Puke

Beautiful’s Craig Wallace.

“Even an hour or two of your time can really help to brighten up our town and show how much we care about Te Puke.”

Kiwirail has given Keep Te Puke Beautiful special access to clean up the rail corridor between Bramble Bridge and the Jocelyn St bridge, an area that has gathered plenty of litter as well as larger items like bicycle frames and shopping trolleys.

“These opportunities don’t come around very often, so let’s make the most of it and get those tracks looking great again,” said Wallace. The meeting place is Jubilee Park,

next to New World, with a health and safety briefing at 9am. Gloves and rubbish bags would be provided, but participants were encouraged to wear closed-in shoes and bring gardening gloves if they have them.

Keep Te Puke Beautiful thanks supporters Mitre 10 Te Puke, Arun Mehan of Bayleys Real Estate, Graeme Crossman of Kiwifruit Country Tours, and Powerco for their ongoing support and contribution to the community

Keep an eye on the Keep Te Puke Beautiful Facebook page for any updates

Fun at last year ’ s Gardens on Wheels event. Photos / Supplied

One of last year ’ s entries.

Stuart Whitaker

Keep Te Puke Beautiful has been given access to the railway corridor in Te Puke for a community clean up event on Sunday Photo / Stuart Whitaker

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